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Skilled Trades

Potters, Manufacturing

Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.

Median salary (BLS)

$46,170

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$36k – $62k

Job outlook

+6% (faster than average)

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 4 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Potters, Manufacturing

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Potters, Manufacturing" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Potters, Manufacturing

    Entry / Junior

    $35,850

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Potters, Manufacturing

    Established

    $46,170

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Potters, Manufacturing

    Senior

    $53,850

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
  • •Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns.
  • •Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
  • •Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
  • •Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.